and devilish crime, scarcely to be matched in the annals of mankind,
and such as scarce any punishment within the power of man to inflict
could wholly purge. It was as if there had been revealed to me, in the
light of those flaring torches thrust in mockery between the bars of
our prison windows, a whole secret hell of cruelty and darkness, such
as our Christian land knows nothing of, which we can never understand,
but which for ever lies waiting for the moment to burst forth, under
the obsequious and servile behaviour of the natives of India. Since
that time, I confess, I have never regarded, nor can regard, them as
my fellow-beings; I look upon all faith or mercy shown to them as
wasted, and were it possible for the English to overthrow every one of
their governments, and to reduce the whole peninsula into slavery, I
should not think enough had been done to extinguish the memory of that
one misdeed.

The cup of the Nabob's cruelty was even yet not full. In the morning,
as soon as we had partaken of a little food and wine, merely enough to
give us strength to stand up, our miserable remnant was ordered to
come before him, to be questioned again.

We found Surajah Dowlah enthroned in the principal apartment of the
fort, in even greater state than I had before seen him in, flushed
with all the triumph of a conqueror. He looked to have just awakened
from sleeping off a debauch, and glanced at us, as we came in, with a
heavy, lowering eye. The supple, handsome Lal Moon was standing beside
his master as usual, and close behind the favourite I saw my kinsman,
with a countenance somewhat discomposed. He turned a very scrutinising
look on our party, frowned when he caught sight of me, and was
evidently disturbed at not perceiving Marian amongst the rest.

The Nabob, instead of displaying any interest in our condition, or
pretending any regret for the massacre of our fellow prisoners, at
once addressed Mr. Holwell in a very peremptory manner.

"Now, English dog, you have had a night to consider," he said
insolently, "are you disposed to behave more civilly to me in the
matter of the treasure?"

Poor Mr. Holwell had scarce strength enough to answer him. He said
feebly--

"I can only repeat what I told you last night. Your Highness has been
deceived. There is no treasure here of the Company."

"You are a liar, and the son of a liar!" returned Surajah fiercely.
"Do you think I am a fool to believe that the English come a